Location on back fence/wall 10’ up (infrequently used for up-close shots on a tripod)

Purpose for watching at home to analyze court movement, shot selection, and some stroke mechanics

Duration 2 to 4 hours (need a 32 GB SD and external battery pack?)

Venue both indoor and outdoor courts maybe 50 times a year

Price $100-$300

I’m hoping to get suggestions from those who actually own a camera and have videoed matches, strokes and slowed them down on computer for analysis. Not looking for guys who lean their iPhone against their tennis bag, hit, and record. A camera that may have worked 3 years ago likely will not be a model I’d be able (or want to) buy today.

Even if you have just general suggestions that’s great. Better if you can suggest SPECIFIC camera models (links), what’s worked for you, price, etcetera. The more details you can provide the easier it will be for me to make my purchase decision.

Since I’ll be using the thing outdoor about 50 times a year, my assumption is a sport camera would be a good idea. If it starts to rain, I’ll have to go get the camera down from the top of the fence. For indoor recording there are just 3 courts with 8,500 watts of fluorescent lighting shooting straight down on courts so pretty bright (unlike most club shooting at ceiling).

I’ll be fast-forwarding through 2-4 hours of sets on any particular day to watch points and movement. Not a lot of slo-mo here unless something is interesting

While just hitting sometimes I’ll slow it down to watch mechanics seeing if there’s anything odd

Occasionally watch slo-mo serve but not too often as that’s not a prime purpose

Video file will be deleted after analysis (I don’t want a hard drive full of them)

Camera will need to run 2-4 hours so a battery of sorts needed

I have an Ankler Astro3 battery pack (10,000 mAh) that powers/charges devices via USB -- can a camera be charging via usb and record at the same time?)

Bring on your specific camera suggestions and things that you feel can help in my purchase this week. Thanks in advance. Here's the view I'm hoping to get. Well slightly wider to get the doubles alleys, too. This is just a hasty pic done with front-facing camera on iPod Touch 5g for an example of what I'm hoping to video...

Make sure you check the min focal length of the lens to see how wide an angle you can get. I use an old discontinued Sony HDR HC3 camera which has a pretty wide angle but I ended up buying an add-on wide angle lens (.7) to get the whole court and all the players recorded. It was only $28. The camera also has a remote so I can stop it between sets if I want.

I think my next camera will have the AVCHD Progressive format which lets you record 1920 x 1080/60p video.

There is a good post in this section on mounting your camera too. Based on its good reviews I've ordered a QM-1 from mytennistools for mounting the camera on top of the fence but as I don't have it yet I can't give a review.

Currently for mounting I use an inexpensive ultrapod which has a velcro strap for attaching it to things like fences but I want to mount the camera up higher for a better view and to keep it farther away from balls.

I have a separate question that's related to the OP's question. I haven't looked for a camera or camcorder in a few years. How is the video quality of cameras these days? Except for at the professional level, are the days of the camcorder gone because the video quality of most cameras has gotten so good?

Well I read the specs in the link and everything at Amazon also. It gets stellar reviews and seems like a wonderful camera. Unfortunately It's $400 so out of my suggested price range of $100-$300. I've added that my wish list on Amazon but gonna wait around here for more posters to kinda explain their choices and thoughts on why.

Tonight I recorded some for fun with my iPod touch 5g. I made four short videos and it used 2.1mb per second, 125mb per min, or 7.5gb per hour. I don't even know what resolution it recorded in or fps (anyone know?). That was just for fun. I need a long-term camera or recorder which brought about my thread here.

Make sure you check the min focal length of the lens to see how wide an angle you can get. I use an old discontinued Sony HDR HC3 camera which has a pretty wide angle but I ended up buying an add-on wide angle lens (.7) to get the whole court and all the players recorded.

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Well I looked up your camera and it has (stock): Focal Length (Wide): 5.1 mm so I'll just have to remember 7.0 or greater. Do they normally list this spec in digital cameras or list degrees of view? I'm thinking I've seen degrees but dunno...

There is a good post in this section on mounting your camera too. Based on its good reviews I've ordered a QM-1 from mytennistools for mounting the camera on top of the fence but as I don't have it yet I can't give a review.

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Be sure to post your review on that when you can. I've looked at that camera stick many times the QM is 2-5" too tall to fit in my tennis bag. So unless that pole can be shortened I'm gonna have to make my own.

Well I read the specs in the link and everything at Amazon also. It gets stellar reviews and seems like a wonderful camera. Unfortunately It's $400 so out of my suggested price range of $100-$300. I've added that my wish list on Amazon but gonna wait around here for more posters to kinda explain their choices and thoughts on why.

Tonight I recorded some for fun with my iPod touch 5g. I made four short videos and it used 2.1mb per second, 125mb per min, or 7.5gb per hour. I don't even know what resolution it recorded in or fps (anyone know?). That was just for fun. I need a long-term camera or recorder which brought about my thread here.

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$400 is not so bad if you consider it a long term investment. I'm still using Panasonic FZ7 for photo and video recording. 7 years without any problems, only now battery runs out fast ($30 to replace)
Camera is not something that you would upgrade like a smartphone, every other year.

Have you looked at the creative vado? I shot the above vid w the stock lens. I have the first gen and you can still get them on amazon.

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Just watched the video twice and seems decent but the specs say "With 4GB of onboard memory, the Vado HD can hold up to 2 hours of HD." And that's that "new" Vado3 which has just 4GB memory so won't be able to record our typical summer tennis sessions almost double that length. But it seems like a great, inexpensive way to get recording done.

Just watched the video twice and seems decent but the specs say "With 4GB of onboard memory, the Vado HD can hold up to 2 hours of HD." And that's that "new" Vado3 which has just 4GB memory so won't be able to record our typical summer tennis sessions almost double that length. But it seems like a great, inexpensive way to get recording done.

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Decent is correct. It's not high end, has low quality mic and doesn't do well with indoor light. For tennis, it works out well. 1st gen has 8gb and a wide angle lens. None of the other pocket camcorders in this class can even get the singles sidelines in picture from the back fence. It's nice to throw in the tennis bag and use for outdoor video. I stick it on a gorilla pod and attach it to the fence normally. I wouldn't get the new version, it has less memory. I wish there were better options in this class but so far I haven't found anything with a stock lens that has a wide enough view.

Well I looked up your camera and it has (stock): Focal Length (Wide): 5.1 mm so I'll just have to remember 7.0 or greater. Do they normally list this spec in digital cameras or list degrees of view? I'm thinking I've seen degrees but dunno...

Be sure to post your review on that when you can. I've looked at that camera stick many times the QM is 2-5" too tall to fit in my tennis bag. So unless that pole can be shortened I'm gonna have to make my own.

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I'm not sure about your question regarding specs.

Through trial and error I determined that I couldn't get the camera high enough to capture all four corners of the court and all of the action when mounted as high as I could reach when using the stock lens.

My new .70 wide angle lens is great in that I can get the whole court and all player action with the camera again mounted as high as I can reach on the fence. The biggest problem when mounting that high is that it is hard to see the little flip out screen so I can confirm exactly what view I'm recording since it is mounted about a foot or so above my head.

Once I start using the new QM-1 I expect the view will get even better. It does fold up to around 2 feet long so that it will fit in a tennis bag, at least according to their web site. I'll definitely post video when I get it.

Once I start using the new QM-1 I expect the view will get even better. It does fold up to around 2 feet long so that it will fit in a tennis bag, at least according to their web site. I'll definitely post video when I get it.

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Did you get the mount yet and capture some video from 10' up? I'm still ISO the camera part of the equation in this thread but have spent a few hours trying to figure out if I'll get the QM or not. It's a fantastic item and the proprietor sent me some detailed pics with scale so I could see how it would fit in my bag. Money is not my concern only the additional weight and fitting in my bag.

Did you get the mount yet and capture some video from 10' up? I'm still ISO the camera part of the equation in this thread but have spent a few hours trying to figure out if I'll get the QM or not. It's a fantastic item and the proprietor sent me some detailed pics with scale so I could see how it would fit in my bag. Money is not my concern only the additional weight and fitting in my bag.

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My birthday is in a few days (I requested the QM-1 as a gift) so I should have a review and some sample video using my videocamera with wide angle lens attached before the end of this weekend.

I'm still not sure what camera to pick. I was in Best Buy last night for an hour looking at a few cameras and a couple video cameras. Was not pleased salesman (as always at that place) pushing things to make the comission.

I'm still not sure what camera to pick. I was in Best Buy last night for an hour looking at a few cameras and a couple video cameras. Was not pleased salesman (as always at that place) pushing things to make the comission.

Come on guys, make some more recommendations to help my quest!

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I know you are waiting for some additional video footage shot using the QM-1 but you might want to consider the package they offer for $217 shipped which includes:

i use this contour roam hd on a tripod. Sometimes, I hang the tripod at the top of the back fence. The software that it comes with makes it very easy to download the video mp4 file to the computer for editing on my mac. Small enough to keep in the tennis bag and the 32GB micro sd card lasts 8 hours at 1080p.

i use this contour roam hd on a tripod. Sometimes, I hang the tripod at the top of the back fence. The software that it comes with makes it very easy to download the video mp4 file to the computer for editing on my mac. Small enough to keep in the tennis bag and the 32GB micro sd card lasts 8 hours at 1080p.

It says "Recording at 720p our tests show the camera can record 3.5 hours of video" which is quite good. Sadly the battery is built-in unlike it's successor. Still, it's $120 so extremely reasonable. I'll have to do more reading on the Contour and Contour 2.

GoPro's are great with good lighting conditions. My friend's HDHero 2 fell out of the ski lift. I skied over it and still didn't have a scratch. Sadlyu, those things are way to expensive.
The MuviHD looks like a great option for the price. If you really are on a budget, the Tachyon's are on sale for a great price.

Have you looked at the creative vado? I shot the above vid w the stock lens. I have the first gen and you can still get them on amazon.

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Not sure whether its the camera, frame rate or YouTube doing strange things during the conversion/upload, but am I the only person who think that those guys are hitting the ball faster and getting around the court faster than any ATP Pro? It's almost like watching playback at x1.5 speed?

Not sure whether its the camera, frame rate or YouTube doing strange things during the conversion/upload, but am I the only person who think that those guys are hitting the ball faster and getting around faster any ATP Pro? It's almost like watching playback at x1.5 speed?

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I watched this video only in my iPod without my glasses so I did not notice. Now that I just watched it on a 24" monitor you are right! God look at the serve at 0:34 that is crazy. All is way faster than even pros...

I watched this video only in my iPod without my glasses so I did not notice. Now that I just watched it on a 24" monitor you are right! God look at the serve at 0:34 that is crazy. All is way faster than even pros...

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I'm sure some video techie can explain it better but it looks like that video is dropping frames. The ball just seems to move through the air quicker and in 'jumped' stages.

Honestly, if you want the entire court, you would need at most an 18mm focal length. A gopro could get the entire court... I personally use a Nikon D7100 (which at $1,200 is way out of the price range) with a wide angle lens or a Nikon AW100 which is a great point and shoot with many different recording options, but the AW100 doesn't get the whole court. I have an OLD gopro that I will use tonight and see how it works.

I have not purchased a camera yet. Still reading suggestions here. Actually surprised there have not been more suggestions made in a month. I know this is a seldom-viewed forum so likely part of the problem.

The GoPro gets the entire court and then some... And if you are putting up the tripod and it falls over the GoPro will take it in stride... The only drawback of the GoPro is sound quality... If that even matters. I can't show you video because the comparison from the Hero (non HD) to the Hero 2 or 3 is not even close. You can check youtube for general GoPro clips to see the video quality...

BTW, I have a chest mount for the GoPro that I might screw around with in practice...

I have not purchased a camera yet. Still reading suggestions here. Actually surprised there have not been more suggestions made in a month. I know this is a seldom-viewed forum so likely part of the problem.

Do you have a iphone? You can allways buy a Qmountz with a fisheye lens. Really nice solution if you're on a budget.

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I have and iPod Touch 5g so has a nice camera. Videoed with it a couple of times but the 1gb of free space quickly filled so videos were short.

I'm not a great fan of the fisheye lens for tennis. It distorts/bends the baseline well really all lines. Hard for me to watch videos like that when everything is distorted from what my eyes ususally see. Yet I do like the fisheye in general pictures/video

It will be hard to get the whole court on a camera without a fisheye lens. Cant you add more memory to the Ipod with the camera/sd insert?

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No iPods are fixed memory. The photo in my OP was taken with an Ipod and catches most I'd the doubles court. Are you talking about from the Sid of the court or 20' behind the court where I took the photo?

After researching most $200 cameras cannot record video longer than 24-29 minutes or 4 GB whichever comes first (some sort of MP4 limitation). I was ready to click buy on three models this week but that limitation is unacceptable. I want a camera on a fence untouched for at least 2-3 hours.

So as much as I was trying to avoid it...I'm leaning heavily toward the GoPro Hero3 Silver. The White is right on budget but the Silver has a significantly better picture and lets you choose the field of view (angle) from narrow, med, or wide in 1080/30p.

Any of you users of the Hero 3 know how what size GB SD card to use to capture 4 hours (or more) of 1080/30p?

Not sure whether its the camera, frame rate or YouTube doing strange things during the conversion/upload, but am I the only person who think that those guys are hitting the ball faster and getting around the court faster than any ATP Pro? It's almost like watching playback at x1.5 speed?

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You do realize this is court 1 in a contest between two nationally ranked D1 teams? It was a windy night and perhaps that had an impact, but otherwise I can vouch for the ball speed. And really it's not uncommon for many top college players to hit harder and faster than some pros. I bet these guys hit harder than Youzhny or Simon.

Not sure whether its the camera, frame rate or YouTube doing strange things during the conversion/upload, but am I the only person who think that those guys are hitting the ball faster and getting around the court faster than any ATP Pro? It's almost like watching playback at x1.5 speed?

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No, I doubt this is the case; it's just the angle of view combined with the focal length creating this impression. If you saw pros hitting with this configuration, the pace would be otherworldly.

Most tennis on TV is shot with a telephoto lens, which compresses perspective:

Here, the width of the singles court looks longer than the distance baseline-to-net. This makes it seem like the ball is travelling a short distance between baselines, creating the illusion of lack of pace.

With a 'truer' rendition of the court dimensions, pace is more evident. at Roland Garros, for example, they are showing this type of perspective on the outside court broadcasts, and the pace is truly scary.